How does Mari Baker her start her day? Head to the gym, plug in her earbuds, put on Macklemore, read email and crush the elliptical!

By Betsy Mikel (Editor, Women 2.0)

Countdown to our HowTo Conference: 4 DAYS! We’re wrapping up the final stages of planning to pack as much innovation, inspiration, real-world strategies and real-time coaching as possible into these two days of awesomeness.

One inspiring Silicon Valley executive and investor who will join us on stage is Mari Baker. On Day 1 (September 30) Mari will lead a discussion with Vivek Wadhwa and Robin Hauser Reynolds on How to Be Part of a World-Changing Movement.

Here’s more about her background: Mari Baker is an experienced Silicon Valley senior executive, with over 20 years in general management, president and CEO roles in technology companies. From raw startup to IPO to Global Fortune 50 organizations, Ms. Baker has been at the leading edge of innovative technology across a variety of sectors, including media, finance, games and health and for companies as diverse as Intuit, BabyCenter, Johnson & Johnson, Navigenics and PlayFirst.

She has been involved in the startup community, including as an executive-in-residence at Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, mentor at 500Startups and advisor at HealthTap. She currently serves as a Director at John Wiley & Sons (NYSE: JWA and JWB) and is actively involved in YPO and various initiatives in leadership and entrepreneurship at Stanford University where she is an alum and emerita trustee.

Women 2.0: How do you typically spend the first hour of your day?

Mari Baker:

Check all text messages from overnight

Go to gym

Plug in earbuds, put on Macklemore, read email, crush the elliptical

Women 2.0: Who was an early role model who inspired your career in tech?

Mari Baker: My mom inspired my career, as she role modeled the importance of education, family and career. My dad was a school teacher and that’s what I thought I would do, until my freshman year at Stanford when I touched my first computer. It was a couple of guys in my freshman dorm who inspired me to pursue tech.

Women 2.0: What do you love about your job?

Mari Baker: Working with passionate, high-energy, dedicated, smart people who operate in the sphere of The Possible.

Women 2.0: What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

Mari Baker: Be more selective on when you work really hard.

Women 2.0: What do you think the tech world will look like five years from now?

Mari Baker: It will be in another cycle of renewal. I’m excited about wearable technology and I’m hopeful that we can make more progress in healthcare.

Women 2.0: What are a few apps or tools you couldn’t live or work without?